now in case that deal breaks down, the president has asked democratic leader harry reid to prepare a separate bill to put on the senate floor. that bill would increase taxes for households that earn 250- thousand dollars or more. now that's a democratic proposal, and you can expect republicans would block it. so rather than thinking of that as a stop-gap measure, think of it as a political move to try to shift the responsibility of failure onto republicans just before the nation reaches the hour of reckoning. jessica yellin >> a connecticut lawyer wants to sue the state over the sandy hook elementary school shooting. irving pinsky says the state failed to provide a safe setting. he's pursuing 100-million dollars in damages on behalf of an unidentified 6- year-old girl who survived the massacre. pinsky says the girl heard gunfire, screaming, and conversations over the intercom and was left with emotional scars. 26 people, including 20 children, were killed at the newtown school two weeks ago when 20-year-old adam lanza entered the building and opened fire. >>> former president george